FINANCIAL DISTRICT — Two women managed to fend off a 220-pound man who was trying to steal their handbags while all three rode down a long escalator at the World Trade Center PATH station Monday, Port Authority officials said.
The man, 23-year-old Christopher Lange, began grabbing at a 21-year-old woman's handbag as they rode the escalator at about 3 p.m, Port Authority officials said.
They struggled on the escalator, but the woman managed to hold on tight to her bag. Lange then began pulling at another woman's bag on the escalator.
But as they got to the bottom of the escalator, several bystanders intervened to fight off the suspect, officials said.
Port Authority police then arrived at the scene and arrested Lange, a Brooklyn man.
His victims declined medical attention.
Lange was charged with attempted robbery, Port Authority police said. His Legal Aid attorney did not immediately return request for comment.
He was released without bail and is due back in court on July 25.
